Councillors have confirmed their previous decision to approve plans for a major retail development at the former Body Shop site in Littlehampton.
The site at Watersmead Business Park, off Norway Lane, will include six new retail and food-and-drink units.
The planned occupiers include M&S, Lidl, B&Q, Home Bargains, Mountain Warehouse and Greggs.
The application had been previously considered by councillors but was brought back to the planning committee after a new version of the National Planning Policy Framework was published.
Officers said the new rules gave greater support to the decision previously reached by councillors.
Concerns had been raised concerns over the development’s potential impact on Littlehampton town centre and Rustington, with a report finding that it could lead to a ‘significant adverse impact’ with trade diverted away from existing shops.
The council said measures to reduce this, which include £1.2million in financial contributions towards town and district improvements, would not reduce the impact below a significant level.
However, the report also found that there were no suitable alternative sites for the development.
The site has been vacant for years and this project would involve the refurbishment and redevelopment of its existing buildings.
The committee was told that the Section 106 developer-contribution agreement was still being drafted, with officers expecting it to be completed within four to six weeks.
Councillors voted to confirm their previous decision, with the application to be officially dealt with by delegated powers once the S106 agreement is complete.
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